Belling out

Chapperz · Aug 19, 2021

Stupid question probably but... If someone was to bell out a circuit to find a fault, should they disconnect from the board and why? Also, if a light on a two way and intermediate stays o. Perminately would that be due to the strappers being mixed up?

Thanks people

Regards

littlespark · Aug 19, 2021

To bell out, is the old way of testing for continuity, and it was a simple doorbell circuit.

nowadays, a multi function tester can send anything up to 1000v down the wire, so not only does the circuit need disconnected from mains, but any electronics or other devices need disconnected from the circuit. Ie, smoke alarms, led lights, anything that can be unplugged!

the question of two way lighting… it is unclear if you mean always off, or always on… maybe edit the post?

if always on, then the supply feed is connected to the switchwire and the switches aren’t doing anything.
mixing up the strappers would cause the light to work on one switch but not the other. Ie a strapper is connected to either the feed or the switchwire.

Dustydazzler · Aug 19, 2021

As above 'belling out' using a battery door bell was to prove a pair of cables were simply continuos with no breaks in either wire

UNG · Aug 19, 2021

When I saw the header I thought this was a thread about cookers ??

I find one of these Continuity testers very useful and it is also cheap

Chapperz · Aug 19, 2021

littlespark said:
To bell out, is the old way of testing for continuity, and it was a simple doorbell circuit.

nowadays, a multi function tester can send anything up to 1000v down the wire, so not only does the circuit need disconnected from mains, but any electronics or other devices need disconnected from the circuit. Ie, smoke alarms, led lights, anything that can be unplugged!

the question of two way lighting… it is unclear if you mean always off, or always on… maybe edit the post?

if always on, then the supply feed is connected to the switchwire and the switches aren’t doing anything.
mixing up the strappers would cause the light to work on one switch but not the other. Ie a strapper is connected to either the feed or the switchwire.

Thanks for the reply
Got it sorted... Testing between neutral and live with a lamp in.

Dustydazzler · Aug 19, 2021

Good ole live testing with a bulb on 2 bits of bell wire ?

7029 dave · Aug 19, 2021

When we tested end to end ring continuity, it was with bell and battery at college.

Petej999 · Aug 19, 2021

7029 dave said:
When we tested end to end ring continuity, it was with bell and battery at college.

Times and methods change Mate

edexlab · Aug 19, 2021

Still widely used in India!

I showed the guy my modern version he turned his nose up at it

7029 dave · Aug 19, 2021

Petej999 said:
Times and methods change Mate

Yes they do, was just giving some info to younger members.

telectrix · Aug 20, 2021

Petej999 said:
Times and methods change Mate

advances in technology.cvwe now have these wonderful machines. batteries not required, and the magic needle eliminates the need for buzzer:

littlespark · Aug 20, 2021

Made in Scotland by the looks of it?
Advertised as the “wee” megger.

Julie. · Aug 20, 2021

telectrix said:
advances in technology.cvwe now have these wonderful machines. batteries not required, and the magic needle eliminates the need for buzzer:

View attachment 88887

Didn't we all start off with one of these??

Still have mine!

Nothing wrong with the term belling out, for simple end to end identification of cores/connections I frequently use the fluke multimeter on diode setting - it buzzes when connectivity is made.

pc1966 · Aug 20, 2021

I have a Martindale voltage tester that also bleeps on continuity.

Good point is it also warns you of a live circuit without blowing up (different bleep)

Bad point is you jump with proving dead as it bleeps until you remember it is the 'safe' bleep sound...

Julie. · Aug 20, 2021

pc1966 said:
I have a Martindale voltage tester that also bleeps on continuity.

Good point is it also warns you of a live circuit without blowing up (different bleep)

Bad point is you jump with proving dead as it bleeps until you remember it is the 'safe' bleep sound...

My megger one does the same, and yes I jump in panic exactly the same!